Red Sox David Ortiz Hits His 400th Home Run

It’s a milestone celebrated slightly less than it used to be.  With the number of players who used steroids and

other PEDs to help them on their path to incredible home run totals, 400 homers doesn’t have the same feel it used to.  However, David Ortiz, who allegedly tested positive for steroids in 2003, was celebrated grandly with few, if any, boos on the road in Oakland when he hit number 400.  He is a popular player throughout the league, and it seems fans are willing to celebrate those they like no matter any allegations against them.

The fact is, no one knows for sure if Ortiz used steroids or if any steroid use helped him get to 400 home runs.  Hitting that many home runs is rare.  It’s more rare than a no-hitter.  More rare than a cycle.  Ortiz became just the 49th player in Major League Baseball history to hit 400 home runs.  The vast majority of Ortiz’s home runs, 342 to be exact, have come as a member of the Boston Red Sox.  And Red Sox fans love him.

Ortiz was originally signed by the Seattle Mariners in 1992.  He was later traded to the Minnesota Twins before he ever made his Major League debut.  Ortiz did make it to the Majors with the Twins on September 2, 1997.  He played six seasons in Minnesota and hit .266/.348/.461.  That wasn’t enough for the Twins as Ortiz was released in December of 2002.  The Red Sox signed him in January of 2003, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Ortiz will be a free agent after this season, and he should find work elsewhere if Boston doesn’t bring him back.  He is 36 years old and can play first base or DH.  If he averages 25 home runs and plays until he is 40, Ortiz could reach the 500 home run club.  He’d be the 26th player to hit 500 home runs.

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